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Looking to capitalize on the Affordable Care Act, the nation's largest retailer has added healthcare services to its seemingly endless list of shoppable items. Primary care clinics have sprung up inside mega stores across the South, with visits going for $40 a pop ($4 for employees covered by Walmart's own insurance).
Shockingly, "While the company says that about 15 to 20 patients use the existing primary clinics every day, a large percentage of those patients do not have a primary doctor outside Walmart, according to Dr. David Severance, the corporate medical director at QuadMed, which is joining with Walmart to help staff and run the clinics." But while increased access to care is a huge step, many experts stress that nurse practitioners and medical assistants are not adequately trained to treat chronic, more complex conditions.
If the trial run succeeds, Walmart would likely benefit from an additional boost in pharmacy sales and foot traffic.—Lauren Berger
· In Ambitious Bid, Walmart Seeks Foothold in Primary Care Services [NYT]
· Walmart Will Open A Megastore On Top of Your Endangered Forest [Racked]
· Millionaire Walmart CEO Says He's Just Another Associate [Racked]